FARMINGTON, Arkansas — Three people died, and one person was injured in a crash at the intersection of Broyles and Wilson streets on April 18, according to the Farmington Police Department (FPD).
The FPD statement confirms that around 7:15 a.m., a white Acura driven by 40-year-old Stephen Kaufmann was driving south down Broyles Street at "extremely high" speeds when it drifted into oncoming traffic, striking an SUV head-on.
Kaufmann was reportedly killed in the crash, along with a minor passenger, and the driver of the SUV.
A passenger in the SUV was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
FPD left out the names of the other victims out of respect for the families. "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those affected by this tragic accident."
5NEWS learned that the passenger who died was 14-year-old Laurelye Kaufmann after talking with her stepfather Sam Meenely.
"This isn't real. You know, how could this be real," Meenely said. "When you're a parent and you've got multiple kids, you know, you wonder what would I do? And you can't plan that out. You can't reason that out in your head."
Meenely said Laurelye was a friend to all who loved animals and art.
"She was a remarkable artist," Meenely recalled. "She liked to paint she liked to sketch (in) charcoals. She could do it all and she had just an amazing eye and a hand for it."
He now lives in Colorado and hadn't seen Laurelye since around Thanksgiving.
"I don't get to see any more artwork. I don't get to hear any more stories about her hikes and her adventures and her friends," Meenely said. "That's not fair."
Laurelye's 15th birthday would've been May 19.
"Every year on her birthday, we're going to donate to cat shelters" said Meenely. "I think if you could pick one way to be remembered, that would be her favorite."
There's a GoFundMe for her family to cover expenses.
5NEWS will update this article as more information becomes available.
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